[Dr. Bellview Column 69.] Can Sweat and Odor Be Controlled with Laser Hair Removal?

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Can sweat and odor be controlled with laser hair removal?

Last week, after Arbor Day, we passed Cheongmyeong. The sun is shining beautifully today as well. It really is nice weather. I hope this kind of weather keeps up, but from here on out it will only get hotter, so for people who sweat a lot, there are not many good days left. The hotter it gets, the more people become interested in hair removal. That is because as sweating increases, body odor becomes stronger. People with little body hair are more likely to have less body odor because the density of apocrine glands is lower, there is less surface area for sweat and waste products to remain on, and the environment is better ventilated. However, other factors such as apocrine gland activity, eccrine sweat, lifestyle habits, and an individual's skin environment also affect body odor, so it is difficult to determine the degree of body odor based on hair amount alone. In any case, it is certain that more body hair means stronger body odor.

Main reasons hair affects body odor

• Distribution of apocrine glands: Apocrine glands, the main source of odor, are mainly attached to hair follicles in hairy areas, especially around the armpits and groin. Sweat secreted from these glands is odorless at first, but when it meets bacteria on the skin surface and breaks down organic matter, it produces a distinctive body odor. Therefore, if there is less hair, the density of apocrine glands may also be lower, so the amount of sweat secreted itself may be smaller.

• Increased surface area: Hair increases the surface area of the skin, creating an environment where sweat, sebum, and bacteria can remain. If there is a lot of hair, sweat is absorbed over a wider area, and the time and surface area for it to react with bacteria increase, which can make body odor stronger. If there is less hair, this surface area decreases, lowering the likelihood of odor formation.

• Reduced ventilation: Areas with dense hair do not ventilate well, making it easy for a humid environment to form. A humid environment promotes bacterial growth, which can make body odor stronger. If there is less hair, ventilation improves and may help suppress bacterial growth.

Most sweat in hairy areas is secreted from these apocrine glands. In contrast, sweat from smooth skin is mostly dilute sweat from eccrine glands. When salt levels rise in the lower layer of the dermis, eccrine glands squeeze out surrounding moisture and release it as sweat. They do not 'make' sweat, but rather expel skin moisture through an osmotic mechanism and mix it with salt; the water lost in this process is naturally replenished in the body by osmosis. In other words, hair associated with apocrine glands holds body odor. If you remove the hair, the pores become smaller, so naturally the odor also decreases. This is why understanding the characteristics of apocrine glands matters.

The composition of sweat from eccrine glands is almost no different from urine, but its concentration is very dilute. This dilute sweat plays an important role in regulating body temperature. The skin also reabsorbs salt as moisture evaporates. Like urine, this sweat has almost no odor when it is first released, but over time it reacts with bacteria and develops an odor. If clothes soaked with sweat are left for a long time, you can see that the smell is not very different from that of urine.

On the other hand, apocrine glands, which create a distinctive odor, are ten times larger than eccrine glands and are located much deeper. Apocrine glands secrete concentrated sweat mixed with cell debris, and because they use pores as their channel, they are mainly located in areas with coarse hair.

The area with the most apocrine glands is the armpit. That is why the most distinctive body odor comes from the armpits. Sweat from apocrine glands is also odorless at first, but it soon mixes with skin lipids and bacteria, producing a distinctive odor. The next most common area is near the areola. If you look closely, there are about a dozen bumpy areas there, and these are apocrine glands. They are known to help newborns find their mother's nipple. Since apocrine glands develop together with hair, it is common for hair to grow near the areola as well.

There are also apocrine glands in the external auditory canal. The sweat from these glands dries and becomes earwax with a distinctive odor. Interesting, right? Earwax is also a product of sweat. There are apocrine glands in the nostrils as well. The apocrine glands near the lower abdomen and anus have sexual significance. In fact, all human body odor contains sexual meaning, as can be seen from the fact that during adolescence, as sexual maturity develops, apocrine glands also develop and the distinctive body odor of the armpits and groin begins to become stronger.

But these days, the trend is smooth, clean skin without hair. The irony that this can feel even more sexually appealing makes me quietly think that perhaps it is because humans, unlike ordinary animals, are not ruled only by instinct but are 'beings who enjoy culture.' In any case, the practice of grooming hair through hair removal has existed for a very long time, and it seems likely that this trend will continue. Who knows, though. Maybe having lots of hair will become fashionable...

Among many hair removal methods such as shaving, cream depilation, tweezing, epilation, waxing, sugaring, IPL, and home hair removal devices, the one that has recently been getting the most attention is 'laser hair removal' at dermatology clinics!

It is favored by many because it can maintain a semi-permanent effect, but quite a few people hesitate because repeated treatments are needed. In any case, among dermatology procedures, laser hair removal is said to be one of the top 3 most popular treatments overseas, following Botox and fillers. At Bellview Clinic, laser hair removal ranked around 4th or 5th when combining last year and this year. That means quite a few people are getting hair removal treatments. For those who have not yet experienced this world.... let's take some time to look at laser hair removal.

1. What is the principle of laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses a laser that selectively acts on the melanin pigment in hair to destroy the hair follicle and hair root with thermal energy. With repeated treatments, the amount of hair gradually decreases and the hair becomes thinner. Hair removal is broadly divided into 'depilation' and 'epilation.' Depilation is the short-term removal of only surface hair, like shaving, while epilation removes hair from deeper within and lengthens the hair-removal cycle, aiming for a more fundamental form of hair removal and even permanent effects. Laser hair removal belongs to 'epilation.'

2. How many treatments are needed to see hair removal results?

The number of treatments varies depending on the thickness and amount of hair, as well as the response to treatment, but generally about 5 to 10 sessions are needed. If the amount of hair is large and the hair is thick, additional treatments may need to be considered.

3. What is the treatment interval?

Hair naturally falls out and grows through the growth phase, shedding phase, and resting phase. Laser hair removal applies energy only to hair in the growth phase, so it must be performed repeatedly at 4- to 6-week intervals in line with the hair growth cycle.

4. Do I need to shave before hair removal treatment?

The reason for shaving before hair removal treatment is that if the hair is too long, the risk of burns increases. If the hair is long, areas other than the hair root and follicle may be targeted, making it difficult to expect proper hair removal results. Therefore, it is recommended to use a depilatory cream or shave 1 to 2 days before the procedure.

5. Is laser hair removal very painful?

Laser hair removal varies depending on an individual's sensitivity, but in general it often causes no pain or only very little pain. Some people may feel a slight prickling sensation or discomfort during laser hair removal, but this is temporary and most people can tolerate it well. Also, the level of pain may vary depending on the treatment area and the individual's sensitivity. For example, the armpits are generally considered to be less painful than the legs or other areas.

6. What are the drawbacks of laser hair removal?

The biggest drawback is that it is difficult to expect a major effect from just one treatment. Unlike waxing or shaving, which remove hair by pulling it out or shaving the surface, laser treatment applies energy to the hair root to induce natural hair loss, so the effect may not appear immediately after the procedure. Two to three days after treatment, the hairs that responded to the energy gradually shed. During the treatment process, you should not pluck the hair, and hair that has been exposed to energy may not shave well, making a clean shave difficult.

Also, because hair removal lasers are procedures based on thermal energy, there is a risk of side effects such as burns, rashes, skin irritation, and folliculitis. If proper aftercare is not performed, pigmentation may remain. The risk of side effects is higher for people who have tanned or whose natural skin tone is darker than for fair-skinned people. This is because the laser targets the dark melanin pigment. Therefore, laser hair removal tends to work fastest and most dramatically for people with fair skin and thick, dark hair. If your skin tone is dark, it is safer to avoid Alexandrite or Ruby laser hair removal and instead receive Diode or Nd:YAG laser hair removal.

https://skintypesolutions.com/blogs/skincare/skin-type-chart

7. What care is needed after the procedure?

After hair removal, it is important to maintain proper skin care to prevent dryness and enhance soothing effects. It is recommended to use lotions or aftershave products that properly protect the skin and provide moisture.

8. The treated area is very itchy. Can I take a lukewarm bath?

After laser hair removal, only a light shower is recommended. If redness or itching occurs after the procedure, apply a gentle cold compress, and avoid half-body baths or baths for at least 2 to 3 days, regardless of the water temperature.

That is all for today.

Thank you for reading.

This was Dr. Bellview~!

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